Toms River Arsonist Admits To Starting Brick Blaze That Injured 3 Firefighters: Prosecutors Toms River Arsonist Admits To Starting Brick Blaze That Injured 3 Firefighters: Prosecutors
Toms River Arsonist Admits To Starting Brick Blaze That Injured 3 Firefighters: Prosecutors A 51-year-old Toms River man pleaded guilty on Monday, June 9, to intentionally starting a fire in Brick Township, injuring three firefighters, authorities said. Charles Maulbeck pleaded guilty to arson and criminal mischief, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said. Per the terms of a plea agreement, he is expected to be sentenced to three years in prison, Billhimer said. On Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, Brick Township police saw smoke and heavy fire at a home on Falkenberg Road, Billhimer said.  Two firefighters were treated and released from a nearby hospital, while a third dec…
2 Teens Caused Barnegat Blaze By Firing Flare Gun: Prosecutor 2 Teens Caused Barnegat Blaze By Firing Flare Gun: Prosecutor
2 Teens Caused Barnegat Blaze By Firing Flare Gun: Prosecutor Two teenagers were arrested and charged Monday, June 9, after they started a fire in Barnegat by firing a flare gun last weekend, authorities said. On Saturday, June 7, at 2:50 p.m. Barnegat Township police and fire departments responded to a home on Schooner Avenue for a report of a fire, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said. The fire was extinguished prior to their arrival and an investigation revealed the fire was caused by Kaele Principato, an 18-year-old Barnegat resident, and Lucas Pyle, an 18-year-old Egg Harbor City resident, firing a flare gun through the window of t…
Fourth Teen Charged In $100K Tarrytown Lighthouse Arson Spree In Westchester (UPDATE) Fourth Teen Charged In $100K Tarrytown Lighthouse Arson Spree In Westchester (UPDATE)
Fourth Teen Charged In $100K Tarrytown Lighthouse Arson Spree In Westchester (Update) This story has been updated.  Four teens have been charged and a fourth is being sought after a weekend arson and vandalism spree caused heavy damage to the historic Tarrytown Lighthouse in Westchester County, police said.  The arrests were announced Friday, June 6, by Westchester County Police, who said two suspects—Elvin Ayavaca, 18, of White Plains, and Richard Barrero, 19, of Harrison—were arraigned in Sleepy Hollow Village Court.  Each is charged with three felonies: third-degree arson, third-degree burglary, and second-degree criminal mischief.  A third suspect, …
Victim Duct-Taped, Killed, Set on Fire After FaceTime Ransom Demand In Baltimore: DOJ Victim Duct-Taped, Killed, Set on Fire After FaceTime Ransom Demand In Baltimore: DOJ
Victim Duct-Taped, Killed, Set on Fire After FaceTime Ransom Demand In Baltimore: DOJ He FaceTimed the victim’s son, duct-taped and gagged his father in a chair, demanded weed and cash—then set the house on fire after riddling the man with bullets. A Maryland man will spend more than 22 years behind bars for a shocking murder plot straight out of a crime thriller, federal prosecutors announced Tuesday. Ziyon Thompson, 21, of Baltimore, was sentenced to 22 years and one month in federal prison this week for aiding and abetting the murder of Miguel Soto-Diaz, who flew in from California for a drug meeting that turned deadly, authorities said. According to the guilty plea, Sot…
New Footage Shows 4 Suspects In Tarrytown Lighthouse Arson Case (UPDATE) New Footage Shows 4 Suspects In Tarrytown Lighthouse Arson Case (UPDATE)
New Footage Shows 4 Suspects In Tarrytown Lighthouse Arson Case (Update) Westchester County Police have released surveillance images of four people believed to be connected to the arson fire and vandalism that severely damaged the historic Tarrytown Lighthouse over the weekend. In an update on Tuesday, June 3, police asked for the public’s help in identifying the four persons of interest. The photos, which show the suspects near the scene, were made public as part of the ongoing investigation.  The blaze and destruction were discovered by a Westchester County Parks employee around 9:40 a.m. on Saturday, May 31, who arrived at the site to find smoke, shatter…
Disturbing Viral Video Could Be Linked To Davidsonville Burning Car Murder: Police Disturbing Viral Video Could Be Linked To Davidsonville Burning Car Murder: Police
Disturbing Viral Video Could Be Linked To Davidsonville Burning Car Murder: Police A disturbing video allegedly tied to a horrific homicide case in Maryland is making the rounds on social media — and now police are trying to figure out if it’s real. Detectives with the Anne Arundel County Police Department confirmed on Tuesday, June 3, that they are actively working to authenticate a video alleged to be connected to the murder of 67-year-old Edward Stephen Koza, whose body was found in a burning car last month behind a Davidsonville business. According to Fox Baltimore, Koza's arms and legs were bound, his mouth was covered with tape, and he was placed in the back seat of…
Woman Charged With Arson In Chicopee Fire That Left 12 Homeless: Investigators Woman Charged With Arson In Chicopee Fire That Left 12 Homeless: Investigators
Woman Charged With Arson In Chicopee Fire That Left 12 Homeless: Investigators Twelve people are without homes after a fire tore through a Western Massachusetts apartment building earlier this week, and now, officials say it was no accident. Michelle Hall, 40, of Chicopee, was arrested and charged with arson of a dwelling, according to the State Fire Marshal's Office.  The three-alarm blaze broke out just after 3:30 a.m. at 26 Belcher Street on Sunday, June 1. When firefighters arrived, flames were pouring from the three-story multi-family building. Crews rushed inside to rescue anyone still trapped. All 12 people inside escaped without injury, officials said. F…
Hagerstown Man Threatens To ‘Burn Building Down’ — Sets Fire With 14 People Inside: Officials Hagerstown Man Threatens To ‘Burn Building Down’ — Sets Fire With 14 People Inside: Officials
Hagerstown Man Threatens To ‘Burn Building Down’ — Sets Fire With 14 People Inside: Officials A Hagerstown man accused of threatening to “burn the building down” made good on his word — torching a downtown apartment complex with more than a dozen people inside, authorities said. Dameon Davonte Irby, 32, has been arrested and charged in connection to a fire that damaged a Hagerstown apartment building while 14 residents were inside, according to the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office. The fire broke out around 2 a.m. on Monday, May 19, at 56 E. Antietam St., when Hagerstown firefighters arrived to find smoke and flames coming from the third floor of the building. Crews encountered…
Arson, Vandalism At Historic Lighthouse In Sleepy Hollow Prompts Investigation Arson, Vandalism At Historic Lighthouse In Sleepy Hollow Prompts Investigation
Arson, Vandalism At Historic Lighthouse In Sleepy Hollow Prompts Investigation An arson fire and extensive vandalism at a historic Westchester County lighthouse have prompted a major police investigation.  The damage, discovered around 9:40 a.m. Saturday, May 31 by a Westchester County Parks employee, included a smoke condition inside the lighthouse, multiple broken windows, and the destruction of several historically significant items. The employee immediately notified authorities upon arriving at the site, Westchester County Police announced on Monday, June 2.  Sleepy Hollow Police and fire departments quickly responded and extinguished a small fire inside…
Body Found In Burning Davidson Car Identified; Teens Charged With Murder, Police Say Body Found In Burning Davidson Car Identified; Teens Charged With Murder, Police Say
Body Found In Burning Davidson Car Identified; Teens Charged With Murder, Police Say A man was found dead in a burning car behind a Maryland business — now two 18-year-olds are charged with murder. What started as a vehicle fire in Davidsonville has turned into a full-blown homicide investigation — and police say two local teenagers are behind it. The victim has been identified as Edward Stephen Koza, 67, of Annapolis, nearly a week after his charred remains were discovered inside a burned vehicle on Friday, May 24, behind a commercial building on the 600 block of West Central Avenue, according to the Anne Arundel County Police Department. Officers and firefighters respon…
Dad Tried Blowing Up Uniondale Gov't Building Over Custody Dispute, Led $600K Fraud Scheme: DA Dad Tried Blowing Up Uniondale Gov't Building Over Custody Dispute, Led $600K Fraud Scheme: DA
Dad Tried Blowing Up Uniondale Gov't Building Over Custody Dispute, Led $600K Fraud Scheme: DA A Long Island father who tried to blow up a government building in a custody-fueled revenge plot pleaded guilty to a laundry list of charges, including multiple bomb-related crimes, mortgage fraud, and identity theft. James Luca, age 47, admitted in Nassau County Court Monday, June 2, to trying to ignite explosive devices outside the county’s Department of Social Services building in Uniondale in September 2024. Upset and aggrieved, he blamed Nassau County Child Protective Services for revoking his visitation rights with his children, as Daily Voice previously reported. Luca placed two pro…
House Fire Kills Two Dogs, Cat; Plainview Tenant Charged With Arson, Animal : Police House Fire Kills Two Dogs, Cat; Plainview Tenant Charged With Arson, Animal : Police
House Fire Kills Two Dogs, Cat; Plainview Tenant Charged With Arson, Animal : Police A fire that killed two dogs and a cat inside a Plainview home led to the arrest of a tenant on arson and animal cruelty charges, Nassau County Police announced on Tuesday, May 27. Jahan Kia, 40, is accused of setting a blaze inside the basement stairwell of a home on Eileen Avenue around 7:50 p.m. on Monday, May 26, according to a release from the Arson Bomb Squad. Firefighters from Bethpage and surrounding departments responded quickly and extinguished the flames. No people were inside the residence at the time, but two dogs and a cat were found dead, police said. Kia, identified as a ten…